Did you know...there are ways to make quitting smoking easier?

Prepare yourself.

Make a list of your reasons for quitting and plan for situations that may tempt you to smoke.

Pick a quit date.

Select a day when your routine will be as close to normal as possible (i.e., no vacations, major work deadlines, or life events such as weddings or moving) and get rid of ashtrays and lighters, and all cigarettes ahead of time.

Make your home and car smoke-free.

It is healthier for others and will help you resist smoking.

Get support and encouragement.

Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you are quitting and ask for their support. Socialize with non-smokers.

Get a quit buddy.

Ask a smoker to quit with you or find someone who has already quit who you can talk to for support. Connect with other quitters on the agency’s “NYC Quits” Facebook page – facebook.com/nycquits – an online support network with nearly 10,000 fans.

Exercise.

Make exercising a priority. Redirect time you may have spent smoking to physical activity to avoid or minimize weight gain: go for a walk, bike over the Brooklyn Bridge or join a group on BeFitNYC.com.